As the days grow shorter and the summer transitions to fall, beer lovers from around the world gather in Munich, Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest. Many people have heard of this famous festival, but not many people know all the facts, details and interesting history that go with it.

First, the most common misconception about Oktoberfest must be cleared. Despite the name (and probably because of it) many people think Oktoberfest takes place only in October. Actually, most of the festival takes place in September and ends in early October. The festival was originally held in October, but it was later decided to move the start date up so as to take advantage of the warmer and longer days of September.

Oktoberfest began in 1810, as a celebration of the royal marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghause. The fields where the celebrations would be held were named Theresienwiese or "Theresa's Meadow" in honor of the new Crown Princess. The Oktoberfest fields have kept that name ever since. The first Oktoberfest was characterized by horse races, parades, music, dancing, and singing. Many of those traditions have been passed down to today, although the festival has transformed over the years as well.

Except for a handful of occasions, Oktoberfest has been held every year since then. Not as much a celebration of the monarchy, today Oktoberfest has become a celebration of Bavarian culture. People wear traditional Bavarian clothing such as lederhosen for men and dirndl for women. Classic Bavarian dishes are served such as Hendl (roast chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Würstl (sausages) and Brezen (pretzels); and wherever you go, you will hear the distinctive oompah of Bavarian polka music.

But of course, the Bavarian tradition that has made this festival famous and the reason it draws millions of people from around the world is the beer. In 2015, the festival served 7.3 million liters of beer. By that number you might think every brewery in Europe sells beer at Oktoberfest. Actually, there are very specific standards a beer must meet to be sold at Oktoberfest and only an exclusive club of brewers are allowed to do so.

Only beer conforming to the Reinheitsgebot, or German Beer Purity Laws, and brewed within the city of Munich can be sold at Oktoberfest. Based on this criteria, the six breweries that supply Oktoberfest are Augustiner-Bräu, Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spatenbräu, and Staatliches Hofbräu-München.

Now that you know everything you need to know, you can pack a bag and head to Munich! Be sure not to be late for the first beer keg tapping ceremony, it marks the official start of Oktoberfest!